Lamentations 4:5

Authorized King James Version

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They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

Original Language Analysis

הָאֹֽכְלִים֙ They that did feed H398
הָאֹֽכְלִים֙ They that did feed
Strong's: H398
Word #: 1 of 9
to eat (literally or figuratively)
לְמַ֣עֲדַנִּ֔ים delicately H4574
לְמַ֣עֲדַנִּ֔ים delicately
Strong's: H4574
Word #: 2 of 9
a delicacy or (abstractly) pleasure (adverbially, cheerfully)
נָשַׁ֖מּוּ are desolate H8074
נָשַׁ֖מּוּ are desolate
Strong's: H8074
Word #: 3 of 9
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
בַּחוּצ֑וֹת in the streets H2351
בַּחוּצ֑וֹת in the streets
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 4 of 9
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
הָאֱמֻנִים֙ they that were brought up H539
הָאֱמֻנִים֙ they that were brought up
Strong's: H539
Word #: 5 of 9
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
עֲלֵ֣י H5921
עֲלֵ֣י
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תוֹלָ֔ע in scarlet H8438
תוֹלָ֔ע in scarlet
Strong's: H8438
Word #: 7 of 9
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
חִבְּק֖וּ embrace H2263
חִבְּק֖וּ embrace
Strong's: H2263
Word #: 8 of 9
to clasp (the hands or in embrace)
אַשְׁפַּתּֽוֹת׃ dunghills H830
אַשְׁפַּתּֽוֹת׃ dunghills
Strong's: H830
Word #: 9 of 9
a heap of rubbish or filth

Analysis & Commentary

Those raised delicately desolate; those in scarlet embrace dunghills. Complete status reversal. Pride humbled.

Historical Context

Jerusalem aristocracy went from luxury to degradation. Archaeological evidence shows sharp class distinction.

Questions for Reflection